Suresh Raina thanks Kohli for promoting him to bat up the order

"The way Virat led the team over the last two-and-a-half months, he showed that he cares for each and every person," he said.

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Suresh Raina
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Suresh Raina received the man of the match award. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Suresh Raina made his comeback in the Indian team for the three-match T20I series against South Africa. This was probably the last chance for the left-hander to cement his place in the side. As it turned out, he was promoted to bat at number 3 by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and everyone saw the fearless batsman in Raina. While the first couple of games saw him scoring 15 and 30, it was his brilliant all-round show in the decider which earned him the Man of the Match award.

Raina looked a live wire on the field and felt that he belonged to this level once again the way he batted. He played a crucial knock of 43 runs after India had lost Rohit Sharma in the second over. It was important for Raina to stay at the crease in the absence of Kohli. He didn’t disappoint and also picked a wicket of David Miller bowling three overs while defending the total.

Virat cares for every person

Suresh Raina was all praise for his skipper after winning the Man of the Match award and admitted that Kohli showed faith in him which increased his confidence. “The way Virat led the team over the last two-and-a-half months, he showed that he cares for each and every person. Batting at No.3, he has done brilliantly in T20 cricket but he gave me the opportunity to bat there and license to go after the bowlers and attack. He showed the faith in me,” he said during the post-match presser.

He also thanked his wife for supporting him during the tough times when Raina was out of the national side. “I worked really hard over the last two years. Each and every session I was doing in the gym or on the field, I was just hoping when I am going to play for India again. God has been kind. Thanks to my wife, she really made me believe that I can go out and wear the India jersey again,” the 31-year-old added.

Raina was also confident about doing well in the future assignments and make a comeback in the ODIs ahead of the World Cup next year. “This series was very important for me. From here on, we will play in Sri Lanka and then IPL. We have a lot of matches coming up. I have been part of the World Cup before and I have won it (in 2011). I have done well at No.5. It is just a matter of couple more games and I can show that I can do well and come back in the ODIs,” he concluded.

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